stress

My brain goes through a million phases before an exam, changing colors and eras as rapidly as Taylor Swift’s costume changes. One moment it’s embodying the “yes, academic weapon,” mentality, and the next it decides, “nah, academic victim actually.”

To this day, I’ve filled six journals. I find it so nostalgic and special to be able to look back on moments of my life, and ultimately my past self. If you’re like me and need some initial guidance to get your creative juices flowing, here’s a few of my favorite prompts that you can use in your journal.

This photo essay honors the ones who bring us those big smiles — the furry companions that effortlessly evoke joy and pawsitive thoughts, regardless of the circumstances.

It’s not easy balancing studying with the prioritization of your well-being, but I’ve found it to be more manageable with the right coping strategies and habits. In this article, I’ll be sharing the rituals, activities and little joys that have helped me power through my first midterm season at UC Berkeley.

Burning out is an experience we laugh off and deem as normal when it shouldn’t be. We can’t lessen our course loads or make it any easier but we can take care of ourselves and see mental health as something just as important as our studies.

Stress: it looms over us like a rain cloud even on sunny days, hangs heavy in the gut when exam grades are released, and keeps us awake long after the lights are out. However, as pervasive as it is, we seem to have a slim understanding of what stress really is or how to deal with it sustainably.

While this isn’t some magic equation for happiness or lessening stress, it is a small and relatively simple step that I believe more people should incorporate into their weekly routines.

My advice to anyone reading this — try it out! While it’s tempting (and obviously okay to do sometimes!) to zone out and go on Snapchat or Instagram while walking to class, looking at our beautiful campus is a worthwhile and mood-improving activity!

All you see is a deep, deep blue. You close your eyes, but you can’t escape into blackness. All you see is water.

As the spring season approaches, so does another season—college decisions.